The University of Missouri is one of the few universities with an active Forestry Department. This summer, students studying the health and economics of forests and urban tree management partnered with MU’s Residential Life for a real-world project.

Professional logger Joe Glenn demonstrates how to properly fell a tree to the forestry students in … Expand ▸Professional logger Joe Glenn demonstrates how to properly fell a tree to the forestry students in the five-week field studies camp. Residential Life partnered with the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources and Landscape Services to remove trees within the footprint of the future Virginia Avenue South Housing complex. Photo by Rob Hill.

In the five-week effort, a professional logger demonstrated how to properly cut down trees.  The trees were removed where Mizzou’s newest residence hall, currently referred to as Virginia Avenue South Housing, will be built.

The students also got opportunities developing a harvest plan and the proper placement of travel lanes for the logging equipment, and a better appreciation for the communication skills necessary to navigate relationships among the forester, the landowner and the logger.

Residential Life plans to work with Columbia artist Tom Stauder to use the harvested wood for furniture or artwork that could be displayed in the new residence hall where the trees once stood.

To learn more about the project, see this Mizzou Magazine story.